iOS 8 Implications on Enterprise

Since the announcement of iOS 8 at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote presentation on June 2nd, Apple has created a lot of buzz surrounding the new software update. With countless new features, Apple has improved its operating systems to become more enterprise friendly.

Organization

By effortlessly swiping left or right, you will be able to mark emails as read, unread, or flagged for follow-up. To improve the VIP functionality of selecting users to be displayed in a separate VIP mail category, now individual threads can be designated as VIP. Keep unwanted emails out by automatically marking external emails in red. Leaving town for a business trip or family vacation? Exchange users will be able to use their iOS device to enable or create automatic reply messages for their time away from the office.

Coordinate meeting times, business lunches, and client appointments with ease. New features in Calendar allow users to see the availability of colleagues to find a common time that meets the needs of everyone’s busy schedule. Users can now create a private or repetitive event at any interval. You don’t need to worry if you have a change of schedule or need to send meeting materials ahead of time – just select the event in your calendar to easily email all attendees.

Mobile Device Management

Good Technology, a mobile enterprise services vendor, noted that “custom app activations grew 77 percent quarter over quarter” and iOS accounted for 93% of total app activations this quarter amongst its 5,000 corporations. Apple has improved device management tools while also giving IT departments more capabilities to oversee and regulate information with less strain on employees. An improved user interface for MDM makes device management easy and transparent. Devices can be set up and managed remotely to set restrictions, erase devices, check backup dates, and more. Certificate-based single sign on gives employees easier authentication for enterprise apps. Administrators now have the functionality to control user downloads from Safari.

You can now Automatically push selected iBook, ePub, and PDF documents to user devices as well as remotely remove them when these files are no longer needed. If your enterprise uses a 3rd party app for document storage on a corporate server, iOS 8 makes it easier to open and edit these documents by allowing corporate server files to be accessed within other apps. To keep your corporate files secure, your IT group controls which apps can access documents downloaded from enterprise domains and iCloud Drive.

Continuity

Cisco predicts that by 2017, every Internet user will have 5 devices. Luckily, Apple has made it easier to transition from device to device continuing work on the same email, document, or project. With iOS 8’s new feature, Handoff, you can work at your desk on your MacBook or iMac and then continue working as you pick up where you left off with your iPad when you’re sitting in a conference room waiting for your meeting to start. Start writing an email on your phone while you’re out at lunch. When you return to the office, hand off the email to your MacBook to pick up exactly where you stopped.

Continuity also further improves communication. While iMessage capability on all Apple devices is nothing new, users can now send a message over wifi to any mobile phone number including non-iPhones. No more manually dialing a number on your phone that is displayed on your computer. Now users can make and receive phone calls right from their computer via your iPhone’s cellular and WiFi connections. Just simply click on any phone number displayed on your screen to make a phone call without ever physically picking up your phone.

Conclusion

As mobile devices and tablets become more enterprise friendly, an increasing number of businesses are recognizing the impact mobile can have to increase productivity and decrease costs. While many enterprises are aware of the vast capabilities of mobile, Forrester Research has found that “awareness does not equal preparedness” with 81% of businesses without the right technology to execute a digital strategy. The possibilities of mobile continue to expand, making businesses even more successful than ever. Mobile devices and customized apps for enterprises have the ability to set businesses apart to improve employee productivity, customer experience, and profits.

Does your business have a mobile strategy? We want to give you practical and realistic advice that points you in the right direction for your enterprise. Take advantage of our free consultation.